Patrick Canion

An expanding grants program, stronger financial position and closer collaboration with the Financial Planning Association and its members, have created a firm foundation for Future2 as it enters a seventh year of operation.

Gathered for a strategy and board meeting in late January, Future2 welcomed two additional board directors: Patrick Canion and Mark Rantall . Under the Memorandum of Understanding signed in mid 2013 between Future2 and FPA with a view to cementing and extending their relationship, three FPA board directors now sit on the Future2 board.

“A more broadly based board and clear succession plan are key to the next stage of Future2’s growth,” said Steve Helmich, Future2 Chair

“We are considering skills and experience sets that will complement those of the current board and we will make further appointments that continue to strengthen our capacity for good governance, fundraising and grant making,” he added.

Taking stock of achievements, Future2 trustees noted:

“Financial planners measure their success through the difference they make in the lives of clients. Many are also actively engaged in their wider communities to give a helping hand to people struggling with disadvantage and exclusion. Their involvement with and support for Future2’s charitable giving is another sign of this strong community focus and professional responsibility,”Mr Helmich said.

“Looking forward, Future2 trustees agreed strategic priorities are to:

• Further increase engagement and emotional ‘buy-in’ with Future2 among FPA Chapters and members
• Help to build respect of financial planners in the community
• Create a longer term engagement with the community organizations that receive grants
• Increase the total value of grants made in 2014 to $70,000 and in 2015 to $100,000

“You only need to hear the stories of some of the young people who have benefited from grants, and to read their heartfelt notes of thanks, to know that we are making a difference that far exceeds the value of the money we are able to give,” Mr Helmich said.

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AMP Financial Planning’s Darren Black at the start line of the Future2 Wheel Classic.

After months of training and weeks of fundraising, financial planners finally got on the road early Saturday with the Future2 Wheel Classic, the epic annual cycle ride organised by Future2, the Foundation of the Financial Planning Association.

Setting out from Old Treasury Building in Melbourne, most of the cyclists were looking forward to nine days and anything between 45 and 65 hours in the saddle, depending on their level of fitness.  They will climb over 10,500 m – the equivalent of 1.2 Mount Everests.   If the 2012 Wheel Classic sets expectations, they will encounter 40+ kph headwinds, snow, hail and lightening.  They could expect over 70 flat tyres to fix and burn around 3,500 calories a day, double the average daily intake!    All in the name of helping disadvantaged young Australians towards a brighter future.

The annual fundraising event is sponsored AMP Financial Planning (Gold Partner) for a third year. Matrix Planning Solutions is Silver Partner for the fourth year running.

AMP’s head of advice in Melbourne, Darren Black joined Victorian State Member of Parliament David Southwick MP to farewell the riders, a number of whom are AMP employees and planners.

Thirty cyclists will participate in some stage of the Melbourne to Sydney route.  All are actively seeking the support of friends, family, colleagues to help Future2 towards an ambitious $170,000 fundraising target.  Donations can be made in support of individual riders at www.future2fundraising.org.au/event/f2wheelclassic2013

When fundraising closes on 31 October, the individual and the team with the highest fundraising total will be awarded a trophy.

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When the 2013 Future2 Wheel Classic hits the Melbourne to Sydney road on 5 October, dozens of ‘virtual’ cyclists from the financial planning community may have covered the distance already –  cycling the 1250km in 10 weeks rather than 9 days.

Future2, the foundation of the Australian financial planning profession, today launched the inaugural Future2 Virtual Wheel Classic, calling on cyclists to sign up to help raise money for disadvantaged young Australians.  The Virtual Wheel Classic shadows the ‘real thing’, allowing cyclists to cover the distance in the gym or on the road.

Registrations can be made online from today for a fee of $100, which includes the cost of a Wheel Classic branded cycling jersey.  Cyclists may opt to ride any number of days and must cover the distance between 1 August and 13 October (the final day of the actual Wheel Classic), logging their progress using Strava software.

Each Virtual Wheel Classic rider will be invited to set up a fundraising page and to raise at least $300 – helping Future2 reach a $170,000 fundraising target set for this year’s event.  If they raise over $500 their registration fee will be refunded – or can be returned to Future2 as a tax-deductible donation.

Ray Griffin, a founding trustee of Future2 who, with fellow trustee Peter Bobbin, was the inspiration for the event and rode in the 2010, 2011 and 2012 Future2 Wheel Classics, thanked Helen McCarthy of Think SMSF for the idea of the virtual ride.

“Helen is one the cyclists out there who really want to be involved and raise some money for Future2 but can’t join us in October”, Ray said.

“She has already signed in as our first Virtual Wheel Classic rider and we hope her passion for cycling and desire to raise money for Future2 and disadvantaged young Australians leads the way for lots more to do the same,” he added.

Future2 Chair Steve Helmich said, “The cyclists who commit their time and energies to training and participating in the Future2 Wheel Classic – and the Virtual Wheel Classic – are not only making an important philanthropic contribution, they are fostering widespread respect and trust in the financial advice profession.  We salute their efforts, and the individuals and businesses that have the vision to support them with donations and sponsorship.”

The 2013 Wheel Classic has attracted the support of AMP Financial Planning as Gold Partner and Matrix Planning Solutions as Silver Partner.  In addition, it has the support of:

• Ride with Velosophy – Cycle Coaching partner, who offer free coaching for all registered cyclists
• Tom Kerr Auto Centre, West Ryde – Support Team partner, contributing two escort vehicles
• Shepparton Tri Club – Support Team partner, contributing a purpose-built cycle trailer
• Victoria Wealth Management – Support Team partner, contributing a 4WD and Hari Maragos’s invaluable time
• Aspen Parks – Accommodation partner, contributing a night at the Boathaven Holiday Park in Wodonga.

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Each grant application must have the support of a financial advice professional. Community not-for-profits and charities seeking a Future2 grant must have their application supported by a member of the Association of Financial Advisers (AFA) or Financial Planning Association (FPA).

Corinna Dieters, Chair of the Future2 Grants Committee, said she looks forward to many more financial advice professionals identifying projects that are helping disadvantaged young Australians towards more fulfilling lives. 

“Your support may result in a grant that will transform the circumstances of needy young people and put them on the road to happy, productive lives”, she said.

“By nature, financial planners want to help people towards better, more secure lives. As well as giving financial advice, many find enormous personal satisfaction and enrichment from their involvement with those in the community who are most in need,” Ms Dieters added.

Applications may be made until 31 July. Future2 will announce the new grants in October.

Future2 Make the Difference! Grants fund projects aimed at 15-25 year olds who may be financially disadvantaged, homeless, juvenile justice offenders, drug or alcohol dependent, disabled or Indigenous. Funded projects have been in the areas of financial literacy, skills training, work experience, community service and mentoring. Since Future2 was established in 2007, the foundation has granted over $250,000 to 22 organisations across Australia. 

The post The Future2 Make the Difference! Grants now open to applications appeared first on AdviserVoice.

Future2 Wheel Classic

Online registration has opened for cyclists in the financial planning community who want to join the 2013 Future2 Wheel Classic.

Their challenge is to help Future2 reach a $170,000 fundraising target set for this year’s event, a 1230km cycle marathon from Melbourne to Sydney. The 2013 Wheel Classic has attracted the support of AMP Financial Planning as Gold Partner and Matrix Planning Solutions as Silver Partner.

Route for Future2 Wheel Classic 2013

40 cyclists – mostly financial planners – joined the 2012 Future2 Wheel Classic and, together with corporate support, raised $140,000 by cycling from Sydney to Melbourne. 

“We’ve set ourselves an even higher bar this year.  We aim to have 30 long distance riders with us for the entire 9-day ride and up to 50 joining us on any single day along the route”, says Ray Griffin, a founding trustee of Future2 who, with fellow trustee Peter Bobbin, was the inspiration for the event and rode in the 2010, 201 and 2012 Future2 Wheel Classics. 

Cyclist registrations for the Future2 Wheel Classic now open
More than 40 cyclists have already pre-registered their interest in joining the Wheel Classic, most of them for all nine days. 

They will have priority registration until 31 March, along with cyclists who rode in 2012. A 10% discount applies to registrations made by 30 April. Registration will close on 31 July, or earlier if maximum numbers are reached.
Participation in the Future2 Wheel Classic demands mental and physical stamina – and training. Days 5 and 6, when the Wheel Classic travels over the Snowy Mountains, will be particularly demanding. 

Future2 Chair Steve Helmich said, “The cyclists who commit their time and energies to training and participating in the Future2 Wheel Classic are not only making an important philanthropic contribution, they are fostering widespread respect and trust in the financial advice profession.  We salute their efforts, and the individuals and businesses that have the vision to support them with donations and sponsorship.”

Cyclists may register for any combination of days, or for the whole ride.  Once registered as individual participants, cyclists are invited to set up an online fundraising page and they may join a team of two or more riders. Registration fees offset expenses including public liability insurance, meals, accommodation, support crew and vehicles. Every cyclist receives a free Future2 Wheel Classic jersey.  As well as paying to register, each cyclist must raise $500. Those cyclists who exceed higher fundraising targets will have the option to take a refund of their registration fee, or to give it to Future2 as a tax-deductible donation.

Future2 Wheel Classic – registration fees

To register, click here.

Future2, the foundation of the Australian financial planning profession, exists to support the financially under-privileged and to enable the financial planning profession and associated stakeholders to give back to the community from which they draw their livelihoods. Grants of some $250,000 have been committed to grassroots organizations, giving hope for a better future to many disadvantaged young Australians.

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The grant recipients were selected from 42 applications, each endorsed by a local financial planning professional, and will receive $10,000 each.

BackTrack Youth Works, Armidale, NSW
www.backtrack.org.au
Project: BackTrack AgLads, an education and employment program
Supported by: Matthew Meehan, AGBIS Pty Ltd

Bridge Builders Ltd Youth Organisation, Lilydale, VIC
www.bridgebuilders.com.au
Project: Bridging the Gap, a leadership and engagement program
Supported by: David Dyson CFP, Financial Life Balance

Save the Children Australia, East Melbourne, VIC
www.savethechildren.org.au
Project: Transition from Detention at Cobham Juvenile Justice Centre NSW, a program for at-risk youth
Supported by: Anne Graham CFP, McPhail HLG Financial Planning

Southern Youth & Family Services Association, Wollongong, NSW
www.syfs.org.au
Project: New Education, Training, Work Opportunities Resource (NETWORK), an engagement program
Supported by: Ray Griffin, Baiocchi Griffin Private Wealth Pty Ltd

Youth Opportunities Association, Somerton Park, SA
www.youthopportunities.com.au
Project, Personal Leadership Program, to encourage leadership and engagement
Supported by: Adrian Zoppa CFP, Hood Sweeney Pty Ltd 2

Future2 Make the Difference! Grants are made to grassroots community projects working to better the opportunities and lives of young people who are disadvantaged and disengaged. Every application requires the support – and preferably the active involvement – of a financial advice professional who is a member of a professional body, such as the Financial Planning Association and the Association of Financial Advisers.

“Each year the task facing the Grants Committee and, ultimately, the trustees, gets more challenging as the number of applications increases and they demonstrably fulfill our objective to give young people a second chance at a better future”, said Future2 Chair and Grants Committee member Steve Helmich.

“The trustees applaud the work of all the applicants and thank those financial planners who supported their applications.

“Our final selection gave consideration both to the potential of the project to touch positively the lives of disadvantaged young people and to the impact that our grant might have on its development and successful execution”, Mr Helmich added.

Watch our films showcasing past grant recipients at www.future2foundation.org.au/Grants/Grantfilms

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For the third year, Future2 trustees Peter Bobbin and Ray Griffin are leading the charge to raise $100,000 for disadvantaged young Australians in the Future2 Wheel Classic.

Starting out from Sydney on Saturday 15 September, the 1200 km route heads south west to Bundanoon and on to Canberra,  Jindabyne, Wangaratta, Shepparton, Bendigo and Castlemaine, arriving in Melbourne on Sunday 23 September.  (see map overleaf)

“After two great rides on the Bourke to Sydney road, we decided to change the route and tap into what we expect to be a bigger pool of cyclists and potential supporters.   So far we’ve had well over 40 expressions of interest, so let’s hope they all sign up ”, said Peter Bobbin. 

Ray Griffin added, “The ride is not only an obvious challenge and demonstration of professional commitment for Sydney-siders or Melbournians, the whole of the financial services profession can get behind this.”

Richard Klipin, CEO of the Association of Financial Advisers, demonstrated the breadth of industry support in 2010:  “The AFA supports Ray and Peter and the initiative of Future2.  In fact I rode with them in the 2011 Wheel Classic and can say it was personally both challenging and rewarding.”

Cyclists wishing to join the fundraising effort can now register online at http://www.future2fundraising.org.au/event/f2wheelclassic.  There are options to register as individuals or teams of 4, and to ride for one, two or all nine days.

Once registered, cyclists can set up their own fundraising pages powered by Everyday Hero, and use the months between now and September to raise funds as well as to train.  On registration, they commit to fundraising for Future2, the foundation of the Australian financial planning profession. The Future2 Make the Difference! grants program has gifted more than $200,000 to charities and not for profit bodies working at the grassroots to transform young lives at risk.

Financial planning businesses and financial institutions are expected to get behind the Wheel Classic with team participation, as well as sponsorship support.  For the third successive year, Matrix Planning Solutions has signed up to be a Wheel Classic Silver Partner. 

The inaugural BT Future2 Wheel Classic in 2010 raised $88,000 through a combination of sponsorship, fundraising events and individual donations. In 2011 the ride raised over $73,000.

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Next year’s ride will be from Sydney to Melbourne, a 1200k route via Bundanoon, Canberra, Jindabyne, Wangaratta, Shepparton, Bendigo and Castlemaine. 

The cyclists will set out from Sydney on the weekend of 15-16 September and arrive in Melbourne on the 23rd.

Ray Griffin and Peter Bobbin, the two Future2 trustees behind the ride, are calling on financial planning professionals, their colleagues and friends, to join them on the 10-day ride, or a section of it.

“After two great rides on the Bourke to Sydney road, we decided to change the route and open up the opportunity and challenge to a bigger pool of cyclists and potential supporters”, said Peter Bobbin, Principal, Argyle Lawyers has and will again  be riding again alongside and behind Ray Griffin. 

“Announcing our dates now will allow cyclists to plan ahead, get their training under way and start thinking about fundraising”, Ray Griffin added. 

“We’re looking to get financial planning and life insurance businesses as well as financial institutions behind the Wheel Classic with team participation, as well as sponsorship support.  We’ll be launching registration early next year and meanwhile we’re noting expressions of interest from cyclists, for the whole distance or one or more days”, Griffin said.

All funds raised will go to Future2, the foundation of the Australian financial planning profession, whose grants program has gifted almost $200,000 to charities and not-for-profit bodies working at the grassroots to transform the lives of young people who are struggling with financial disadvantage, addictions, family dislocation and other problems.
 
The inaugural BT Future2 Wheel Classic in 2010 raised $88,000 through a combination of sponsorship, fundraising events and individual donations. In 2011 the ride raised over $73,000.

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In Martin Place on Friday 16 September the achievement of four long distance cyclists – Ray Griffin, Peter Bobbin, Mitch Carrington and Roger Simionato – was celebrated as they completed their 1,250 km ride from Bourke to Sydney. 

The 2011 BT Future2 Wheel Classic was warmly welcomed by The Lord Mayor of Sydney Clover Moore and an enthusiastic band of supporters.  Rob Pedersen CFP, Future2 trustee hosted the event, at which Mark Rantall, CEO of the Financial Planning Association, Gordon McNaught of BT Financial and Rick Di Cristoforo of Matrix Planning Solutions also spoke.  

To date, over $71,500 has been raised from corporate sponsorship and individual donations – sufficient to fund all of Future2 2011 grants for the year, giving a second chance and hope for a better future to disadvantaged young Australians.

As well as the sheer endurance and determination of the cyclists, the Wheel Classic demonstrated the capacity of the financial planning profession, and others linked to it, to give back to the community.

• FPA Chapter Chairs in Dubbo (Sandy Dunshea), Orange (Peter Roan) and Wollongong (David Richardson) helped organise a series of public seminars on wealth accumulation, preservation and distribution – brilliantly presented by Peter Bobbin – after a long day’s pedalling
• Hari Maragos CFP of Victoria Wealth Management (representative of AMP Financial Planning) gave up two weeks annual leave and loaned his 4WD as a support vehicle, prepared all our meals and rode ‘shotgun’ behind to keep heavy transport drivers aware of the cyclists, making it a much safer ride.  He also secured the support of Caltex (fuel vouchers), Carman’s Fine Foods (muesli and muesli bars) and BSC Bikes (spares)
• Bruce Madden of Blue Chip Communication donned his leathers and rode at the rear flank of the cyclists as they made their way along the challenging, often busy, road from Crookwell to Nowra.

“We had practical help and support from dozens of other people too – not least our sponsors.  We were touched also by the spontaneous support we received along the road from people with no link to financial planning.  We were stopped by truck drivers, grey nomads and others who’d heard about us on local radio or in the press, and given money”, says Ray Griffin.

“But the missing ingredient to the fund-raising was the overall absence of a grass roots level of support from financial planners.” Griffin added.

“Future2 is their foundation and it was established to provide a vehicle to collectively demonstrate that the profession does care about the community and does give back. Apart from a few donations and great support from planners with seminars en route – for which we are very grateful – there was a conspicuous absence of individual planners in the donor list and that’s of great concern.”

Griffin went on to say: “In a modern, rich, economy like Australia being a professional is a privilege and with that privilege comes an unwritten, unspoken, obligation to give back to the community. While I recognise that many financial planning firms are giving back in various ways it would be wonderful to see much more support for the ‘unbranded’ Future2 Foundation.

“The good news is there is still time to make a donation via the Future2 Foundation website at www.future2fundraising.org.au“.

The BT Future2 Wheel Classic was supported by BT Financial (gold partner), Matrix Planning Solutions (silver partner), AMP Financial Planning and Hillross (bronze partners).  Commonwealth Financial Planning sponsored a series of seminars on the tax aspects of wealth accumulation and preservation, given at four locations along the route by Peter Bobbin – after a long day in the saddle! 

Future2, the foundation of the Australian financial planning profession, exists to support the financially under-privileged and to enable the financial planning profession and associated stakeholders to give back to the community from which they draw their livelihoods.  Grants of some $150,000 have been committed to grassroots organizations, giving hope for a better future to many disadvantaged young Australians.

The post Final call: are we a profession or an industry? appeared first on AdviserVoice.

“The grant applications – the highest number received since the program was established in 2007 – show the extent of great work being done at grassroots level to help young people attain more productive, sustainable and enriching lives”, said Future2 Chair Steve Helmich.

“The grant applications also speak volumes for the commitment of financial planning professionals to ‘giving back’ to the communities from which they draw their livelihoods.

“This year we again had wide support from Financial Planning Association Chapters and members, with 25 applications supported by them, including our first two applications from the Northern Territory.

“As well, we were delighted to have our first applications endorsed by members of the Association of Financial Advisers. Eight applications came from Queensland, New South Wales, South Australia and Victoria.

Youth is an area of special focus for the Future2 Make the Difference! Grants. To date, more than $150,000 has been committed to community projects helping disadvantaged young Australians whose lives may be affected by poverty, social isolation, homelessness or addiction. They include some of society’s most marginalised – Aboriginals, refugees, young offenders and the physically and intellectually disabled.

“Future2-funded programs have included mentoring, financial education, skills training, leadership development, and music for personal development. Trustees look for creative projects that deliver measurable outcomes, and which have the support and involvement of financial planners”, Steve Helmich added.

Grant applications will be short-listed by mid September and those selected for grants will be announced in mid November.

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